S2E6: Kerry September - Hair Stylist & Make-up Artist

Kerry September is a British Hair Stylist & Make-up Artist who has worked in theater, film, TV, music, fashion and beyond in her 30-year career. Kerry was born in 1971 in Bridgend, Wales. the oldest of five children; she has three sisters and a brother. Her father, Gideon September, emigrated to the UK from South Africa and worked as a service engineer. Her mother, Christine Blackwell was a housewife who, after raising her children, went back to school to become a psychotherapist. Most of Kerry’s family is in psychology and she says her work too is like being a therapist listening to her client’s share their life stories. When Kerry was two years old, her family moved to Twickenham and she went to Chase Bridge Primary School before being sent to Rosebery School, Epsom, an all-girls school for which she quickly developed a dislike. Her parents discovered she had a hearing deficit when she was three years old but Kerry rebelled against hearing aids which she felt put her at a disadvantage thus making school more challenging. Her mother told her she could do anything she wanted to so Kerry decided to pursue her studies at Epsom Art College, followed by two years at the London College of Fashion. As a teenager, Kerry was absorbed in American TV culture and so her parents agreed to let her attend Camp America in Pennsylvania. After 10 week’s work, for which she was paid $150, Kerry and her new friends spent four months traveling until her cash ran out and she returned to the UK. She found her first real job in the wig department in West End theater, which proved the foundation to her career. She did make-up for music videos such as Prodigy ‘Smack My Bitch Up’, Smashing Pumpkins ’Everlasting Gaze’ and Manic Street Preachers ‘Why So Sad’. Kerry has done make-up for a variety of photographers, actors, artists, politicians and celebrities. Nowadays she is also focusing on her health and fitness while studying quantum biology and looking forward to her next adventure. Kerry lives in Kent, England.Kerry’s Playlist:Light years / Kylie MinogueAbsolute beginners / David BowieGo your own way / Fleetwood MacShannon / Let the music playFast car LIVE / Tracy ChapmanWe are the people / Empire of the SunCry to me / Solomon Burke Women who inspire Kerry:Zoe Irwin - Trend forecasterJane Howard - Superstylist/Editor of Archivist magazineCynthia Lawrence John - Artist/costume designer Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: [email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.